Gospel Reflections for June 16 2019
Do you want the “inside” story?
If you can promise that you will have everyone’s attention!
After hearing political speeches promising new ideas do you wonder if they are true or not? We all have a hunger for what is true, genuine, and real. I am now starting my second week of our annual archaeological pilgrimage in the Holy Land. People in our group have a great hunger to know what is true or not about the biblical places here.
We like to know the real truth about things but we tend to trust more anything said in a quiet whisper rather than what is spoken out in the open. If you present news quietly as inside information it is often ironically treated with more belief than what you might say openly!
Today’s feast of the Holy Trinity reveals the “inside information about the nature of God” and it is all good news. I hear this same idea among couples when I ask then how they became engaged.
They often say something like, “This person knew everything about me, everything inside …and still loved me!” Those first moments of true love can be quite powerful and satisfying, yet still intensely private. After marriage, if they are blessed with children, their love changes from a focus only on themselves as a couple to the care of their children. Their children are kind of “brought into” the now more public love of their parents.
Today, we also celebrate the special role that fathers have in their family, and ask God’s blessings on them.
When we pray, “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” we publicly proclaim the inside nature of God, which is love. That is the truth of things and we like to know the truth.
That means that we can also be “brought into” this relationship of the Holy Trinity, the family of God. Jesus asked that this inside message be brought out to the whole world. Nothing exclusionary here! Let us do our part to help make that happen. We do not want anyone to miss out on this “inside” true and authentic story!
We are reminded of that goal every time we pray, “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
God Bless!
Fr Dave
Dear Father Dave,
Hope all is going well with you and all the people traveling with you. Enjoy every minute.
Yes, The silence of truth in devotional prayer is a beautiful concept and belief, particularly in the midst of a world gone a tad bonkers.
How is the overall mood of the people in Israel? Has anyone expressed opinions to you of what’s happening on the world stage today? When you return, I’m sure your readers will want to hear about the highlights of your trip.
Be safe. God bless.
Kathleen A.
Yes, the people there believe that they are closest to a comprehensive Middle East peace plan than ever before.
Father Dave, thanks for this Father’s Day homily, always so inspiring,
Keep well, keep safe, keep us all in your prayers just as we do keep you in ours.
JoeG
Be assurred of my prayers!
We will always remember our journey with you to the Holy land in 2008. In 2006, on our singing tour of Italy, we met a young Jonathan Morris in Rome. It is with sadness that we heard of his decision to leave the priesthood. God bless you and all who journey with you today.
Yes, I remember well that trip with our choir to Italy and meeting Fr. Morris. I hope all is well with him at this time.
Dear Father Dave,
I think going to Israel for this amazing work has to be so inspiring to see and learn everything on these trips just being in the land that God chose for his loving Son to come from is awesome for sure. Have a great time and, please, do share some of what you encountered on this marvelous trip and enjoy the time off. You truly deserve it so.
Christ’s Peace,
Stephanie Toland
Rest assurred I will be sharing insights from this trip in the University Series during Lent.
Have a safe and beautiful trip with all the wonderful people on the pilgrimage!
Happy Father’s Day! 😊
Thank you!
Will be anxious to hear about ur trip. Praying for a save and holy trip.
The scripture for some reason reminded me of trusting in the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Rememberingthat I am never alone especially in hard times.. Jesus I Trust in You
Well said!